Building remodeling apparatus



Sept. 11, 1934. w. HUGHES BUILDIING REMODELIG APPARATUS Filed Sept. 8. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Y JWM 1414 l g vw-,s

Sept. 11, 1934. w, HUGHES BUILDING REMODELING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 8. 193]. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mwl Patented Sept. 11, 1934 l leraars'l fl u l ILni-G RErionELrNC-.Arraa-ATUs, l

William Hughes, Chevy Chase, Md.

Application September 8, 1931, Serial No. 561,733

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in methods and apparatus to be used in remodeling of buildings.

` y. The primary object of the invention is to proif vvide a novel method and device to be used in placing window or door openings in existing walls.

Another object is to provide a novel jack for M bearing the weight of the wall above the opening 4while a beam or the like is being set in the wall.

With the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in Y the novel features hereinafter described in detail,

'illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a wall 2|showLng a hole cut therethrough and the manner in which my improved jacks are employed for supporting purposes during the insertion of a beam or the like.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2, but showing a modification. o Fig. 5 is an end view of this modified form of jack.

Fig. 6 is a detail of a modification illustrating an arrangement to prevent any of the posts of the jacks from turning while the nut on the same 3,5 is adjusted.

Referring to the drawings, 6 designates an existing wall. When it is desired to place a window or door opening in such wall, a small hole is first cut through the same to accommodate aV central jack 7, and then this hole is extended horizontally, and as the size of the opening increases laterally, additional jacks 8, 9, 10 and 11 are introduced for the purpose of supporting the portion of the wall above the opening.

Each of these jacks is preferably of the types shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and comprises a base 12 made by connecting end members 13 to a pair of I-beams 14. This base cooperates with thin metal plates 15, each having an aperture 16 and 5Qladapted to slide laterally on the top of the base.

Each plate supports a nut 17 which engages the threaded portion 18 of a post 19, the upper end of which projects into a cavity on the under side of a thin metal plate 20, which in turn slides on the under side of the top metal plate 21. Owing to the thinness of the plates 20 and 21, it may be seen that when the I-beams 22 and 23 are inserted in the opening which has been made in the wall, the tops of these beams can be brought into close relationship with the top of the hole,

l and consequently, if the opening is to be used in connection with a lower iioor, the opening need not be extended into any upper floor.

As each post 19 is shiftable and removable, it will be noted that in placing the beams 22 and 65 23 in the opening, where they can rest on the shoulders 24, an outer one of the posts of each jack can be removed while the beam is being placed on the shoulder. Then these outer posts can be replaced and the intermediate posts of the jacks can be removed while the beam is being shoved from the full line position shown in Fig.

2, to the dotted line position. Afterwards, the other beam can be inserted from the other side of the wall and the posts can be shifted in the same way in order to provide the proper support while the beam is being placed.

The modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is of a simpler and cheaper construction, but as the cavities 26 are in the top plate 21 of the jack, the post 19a can only be placed where these cavities occur. I-lere also the base 12a is formed from a single metal plate having the necessary number of holes 12b to accommodate the posts, and this plate is preferably supported on wood blocks 12e, and functions as an abutment for the nuts 17a which are arranged on the threaded ends of the posts.

As shown in Fig. 6, the upper end of each post 19h may have a square crown 19e to fit in a square cavity 26a in the under side of the top plate 2lb. This arrangement will prevent the post from turning while the nut on the same is operated, and of course, such arrangement may be used with either form of the jack.

From the foregoing it is believed that the invention may be readily understood by those skilled in the art, and I am aware `that changes may be made in the details disclosed, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, as expressed in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A jack for use in remodeling buildings, comprising an elongated base, an elongated top plate arranged substantially parallel to the base, a plurality of vertically adjustable posts freely resting on the base and supporting the top plate, each of said posts being detachable from the top plate and base, each post having a threaded por- 110.

tion, a nut on the threaded portion of each post, and spacing plates slidable on the base and bearing against said nuts.

2. A jack for use in remodeling buildings, comprising an elongated base, an elongated top plate arranged substantially parallel to the base, a

plurality of vertically adjustable posts freely restgaging said cavities and their lower end port-ions extending through the apertured spacing plates, each post' having a threaded portion, and nuts engaging said threaded portions and vresting on said apertured spacing plates.

3. A jack for use in remodeling buildings, comprising an elongated base, an elongated top plate arranged substantially parallel to the base, a plurality of vertically adjustable posts freely resting on the .base .and supporting the top plate, each -o said posts being ,detachable from the top plate and base, each post having a threaded portion, nuts on the threaded portions of the posts and supported by the base, and means for preventing the posts from turning.

' WILLIAM HUGHES. 

